Harmonic boldly goes with NASA UHD channel

A new UHD service featuring NASA UHD content, remotely produced by Harmonic in cooperation with NASA, is now available in high dynamic range (HDR) on the Roku platform.

Roku users with a 4K-capable streaming player or Roku TV can download the channel from the Roku channel store. The new UHD HDR channel is delivered over the top as an app utilising a cloud-based end-to-end video streaming solution from Harmonic, Accedo, and CenturyLink. As the world's first 24/7 UHD HDR video streaming service, the channel will provide viewers with access to VOD and linear content for an amazing experience.

"From day one, our goal in partnering with Harmonic has been to collaborate on advancing technologies through which NASA can make its compelling footage of space, Earth, and the other planets available for OTT streaming," said Bryan Walls, deputy program manager of the NASA Imagery Experts Program at NASA. "Using NASA footage, Harmonic is able to deliver a selection of stunning NASA imagery directly to millions of viewers in beautiful UHD with the clarity and depth of HDR. For many, it will be the first UHD HDR content they'll experience in their homes; we're excited to work with Harmonic to make this beautiful and educational video content available to more of the people NASA serves."

"Using NASA UHD content is a true demonstration of how Harmonic's VOS360 Video SaaS can accelerate the delivery of UHD HDR content by eliminating the significant costs and complexities normally associated with launching new premium services," said Tim Warren, senior vice president and chief technology officer, video business at Harmonic. "Being part of this groundbreaking project with our partners Accedo and CenturyLink helps us showcase the expanded colour space offered by the HDR format from an intergalactic perspective, a feat that has never been achieved before."

"Harmonic is delivering unique and compelling footage with this video service," said Fredrik Andersson, senior vice president of strategy and solutions at Accedo. "This service is a great example of how cooperation between cloud-first driven companies can accelerate innovation."

"The bandwidth required to deliver UHD HDR video content can create extreme challenges for global scale delivery," said Bill Wohnoutka, vice president of global internet and content delivery services at CenturyLink. "CenturyLink's CDN will enable Harmonic to seamlessly provide high-resolution content directly to end users on all seven continents for both on-demand and live video."

The new UHD HDR channel showcases the breathtaking beauty and grandeur of space using high-resolution images and video in HDR generated from the International Space Station and other current NASA missions. The channel includes a live stream and real-time views of Earth from the International Space Station, as well as remastered footage from historical missions.